Chapter 56 The Sect Master of the Supreme Xuan Sect

"Make your move!"

Mr. Ximen had already prepared himself. The moment Ling Wu made his move, his body shifted horizontally, blocking in front of Ling Wu. A battle spear was in his hand, radiating a chilling aura.

Yi Fuyao moved through the air, stepping onto the arena in an instant and standing right beside Lin Hao.

"Is the Grand Xuan Sect trying to make an enemy of the Ling Clan?" Ling Wu shouted angrily.

"Although the Grand Xuan Sect is lacking, our Holy Son is someone we shall protect ourselves," Mr. Ximen said calmly. That single word of protection warmed Lin Hao's heart.

On Purple Cloud Mountain, many people gave a thumbs-up to the actions of the Grand Xuan Sect.

After all, in the eyes of many, the Grand Xuan Sect had initially protected Lin Hao simply because he was valuable to them.

Now that Lin Hao had secured first place in the Hundred Sects Tournament, the Grand Xuan Sect was naturally preserved, and Lin Hao's value could be considered spent.

Under such circumstances, making an enemy of the Ling Clan for the sake of Lin Hao was truly unwise.

Yet, the Grand Xuan Sect had not abandoned Lin Hao; even when faced with a colossal behemoth like the Ling Clan, they dared to draw their swords in public.

"Do you think mere mortals like you can block the Ling Clan? Today, whoever tries to stop the Ling Clan from killing Lin Hao shall die."

Ling Que's voice was icy. All dozens of Sky Origin realm experts from the Ling Clan moved into action, forming a tight encirclement that enclosed almost this entire central region.

"Everyone, might you lend me a moment of your time?"

At that moment, a voice came from the direction of the imperial capital.

The next instant, a middle-aged man dressed in white stepped through the air, flashing a few times before arriving atop Purple Cloud Mountain.

The man looked to be in his thirties or forties, exuding a scholarly and refined aura, much like a literati scholar.

"The Pill King!"

Many people recognized the newcomer and immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

The person before them was none other than Dan Qing, the undisputed titan of the Great Xia alchemy world, known as the Pill King.

Dan Qing had arrived at this crucial juncture. He glanced at Lin Hao and smiled reassuringly.

"It seems the Pill King has come for Lin Hao. He intends to act as a peacemaker."

"Indeed. Lin Hao possesses another identity—a Nine-Pattern Alchemist, the Innate Alchemy Saint Body, and the Chief of the Pill Pavilion as well. It is only natural for the Pill King to step forward at a time like this."

"I wonder if the Ling Clan will show respect to the Pill King."

......

The situation seemed to have taken a turn. The one stepping in to mediate was, after all, the Pill King; his status was such that even the Emperor of Great Xia would show him courtesy.

"Pill King, save your breath," another powerful figure said, coming from Lingyun Mountain and arriving close by in the blink of an eye.

It was an old man with an immensely profound aura.

"A Divine Origin realm elder of the Ling Clan has arrived," someone murmured.

That Ling Clan elder approached the Pill King and, without giving him the chance to speak, stated bluntly, "No matter who intervenes, today's matter will proceed. We hope the Pill King will spare us your words, or else do not blame the Ling Clan for failing to show respect."

"This matter concerns the dignity of our Ling Clan. This boy stole our clan's secret technique; he must die."

Another Ling Clan elder appeared. In just the blink of an eye, two Divine Origin realm powerhouses had arrived, fully demonstrating the Ling Clan's determination to execute Lin Hao.

"Our clan's Heavenly Thunder Arena was destroyed, and our secret technique was stolen—this is of utmost gravity. The Pill King would do well not to waste his efforts."

The two Divine Origin realm elders stood at the peak of Purple Cloud Mountain, their attitudes resolute. When it came to killing Lin Hao, there was clearly no room for negotiation.

"Alas!"

In the end, the Pill King heaved a heavy sigh. He cast a look of profound pity at Lin Hao and turned to leave.

He truly cherished talent; having finally produced an Innate Alchemy Saint Body, to see it snuffed out like this was a massive loss to the alchemy world.

Therefore, the Pill King had appeared at this moment, wishing to act as a peacemaker.

However, he had underestimated the Ling Clan's resolve. The moment he saw two Divine Origin realm experts from the Ling Clan appear, the Pill King knew in his heart that no one could save Lin Hao today.

Let alone himself, even if the Emperor of Great Xia personally descended, the Ling Clan might not necessarily grant him face.

"It's over. Lin Hao is dead beyond a doubt today. The Ling Clan has even sent Divine Origin realm powerhouses; their intent to kill is absolute, and they will not show respect to anyone."

"As the premier martial arts family with a profound foundation, their Heavenly Thunder Arena was destroyed, and the Hand of the Heavens was stolen. This touches upon the dignity and bottom line of the Ling Clan; they will never make concessions."

"The Grand Xuan Sect simply cannot protect Lin Hao, unless a truly formidable master steps onto the stage."

......

Everyone felt a sense of pity for Lin Hao. A peerless prodigy, having just begun to display his edge, was about to be snuffed out—it was truly a tragedy.

The Ninth Prince remained utterly silent. Even with the Pill King's arrival proving useless, what could he possibly do?

Despite being a prince, a colossal behemoth like the Ling Clan would not take him seriously at all.

The expressions of the people from the Grand Xuan Sect grew increasingly grim.

This was a hopeless scenario with zero chance of a comeback.

Depending solely on themselves, how could they possibly fight the Ling Clan? A single flick of a finger from the Ling Clan could grind the Grand Xuan Sect to powder.

"Grand Xuan Sect, do not dig your own graves. Out of respect for your sect master, we shall not settle scores with you today. Withdraw immediately, or else—die!"

A Ling Clan elder delivered his judgment like a superior being, uttering words that brooked no doubt.

"Who dares to touch my people from the Grand Xuan Sect?"

A resounding roar erupted from the apex of the firmament, shaking the heavens like a clap of thunder from the ninefold heavens.

Immediately afterward, a figure manifested. Traveling from the distant void, appearing and disappearing with every step, he arrived above Purple Cloud Mountain in the blink of an eye.

It was a middle-aged man, looking roughly around the same age as the Pill King. Dressed in azure robes with eyes like stars, he descended like a monarch.

"Father!"

"Sect Master!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Yi Fuyao and Mr. Ximen instantly revealed expressions of joy, their tense nerves finally relaxing at that moment.

Lin Hao looked over as well. This was his first time seeing the Sect Master of the Grand Xuan Sect.

He was immensely shocked. The Sect Master of the Grand Xuan Sect turned out to be a powerful Divine Origin realm expert!

This defied all logic!

It was not without reason that the Grand Xuan Sect ranked one hundred and eighth. With the sect withered and decayed, Mr. Ximen, a Sky Origin realm cultivator, was already considered the peak combat power of the sect.

In truth, among the one hundred and eight sects of Great Xia, aside from the few ranked at the very top, none possessed Divine Origin realm experts; the peak of the Sky Origin realm was their limit.

The Divine Origin realm was already the pinnacle of combat strength in Great Xia, with every single practitioner standing at the very apex of the pyramid.

Yet, a declining sect like the Grand Xuan Sect actually had a Divine Origin realm Sect Master holding the fort.

When the Ling Clan elder had mentioned earlier that he was sparing Mr. Ximen and the others out of respect for the Grand Xuan Sect Master, it seemed he had been well aware of the Sect Master's strength.

"Ling Clan, it's one thing for you to be arrogant and domineering on ordinary days, but now you've bullied your way onto my head?"

The Grand Xuan Sect Master was overwhelmingly domineering, refusing to give the Ling Clan elders even an ounce of face.

"Yi Tianya, why don't you properly tend to your role as the Vice President of the Great Xia Academy—"

"Shut your mouth! I am currently the Sect Master of the Grand Xuan Sect, not some damn Vice President."

Yi Tianya shouted, interrupting the Ling Clan elder: "I stand right here today. Let's see who dares to touch my disciple."

"A good show is about to begin. How could I have forgotten this old brute? If he steps forward to protect Lin Hao at all costs, it's going to give the Ling Clan a real headache."

"How does the Grand Xuan Sect have such a powerful master, and why is he tied up with the Vice President of the Great Xia Academy?"

"There are some old grievances involved here. You youngsters don't know, and understandably so, but this fellow is notoriously hard to deal with. However, if he relies solely on himself, it will probably be very difficult to stop the Ling Clan from killing today."

......